Exploring the Original Rules of Volleyball

Welcome to MitGlobal Dubai Sports Blog! We are happy to offer our readers knowledge about all sports related topics with our weekly blog posts. This time, we will be discussing about the classic game of volleyball, and more importantly its history and basics.

Originating from the late 19th century United States, the game we now recognize as volleyball, has evolved over the years to become a very popular sport across the world. Even though the game has gone through several changes throughout the years, the classic form of the sport still consists of the same basic rules.

Here in this article, we will be exploring these original rules of volleyball and the history behind its creation. We will be covering a range of interesting topics, such as the basics of the game, and the historical rules, which help us understand the game more and enjoy it with a greater appreciation.

So, buckle up and get ready, to enlighten your understanding of volleyball and its fascinating history. We hope you find the article informative, and help you gain an understanding of the original rules of the game.

The Court

As with any sport, the court is one of the most important elements of a game of volleyball. The court for a game of volleyball must be clearly marked to separate one side from the other, as well as establish the width, length, and boundary lines of the court.

The court is divided into two sides by a net which is placed in the middle and stretches perpendicular to the baseline. On each side of the net, six players are positioned which are divided into two teams of three, with two players in the front line and one in the back.

The dimensions of the court is 7.32 meters on the long side and 6.10 meters on the short side, with the baseline and service line indicated 9.50 and 8.50 meters respectively. The net is placed in the middle of the court, stretching 2.43 meters across, and has a height of 2.24 meters for men’s games and 2.14 meters for women’s games. All of these dimensions are regulated by the FIVB which is the governing organization for both international and recreational Volleyball.

The court must also have markings which are visible and clearly denote the center line, attack lines, and service line. As with the net height and court dimensions, these markings must adhere to the FIVB guidelines and regulations.

Scoring System

It’s important to understand the scoring system in order to know how to win a set and a match in Volleyball. The rally point system is used among international competitions and it means that each time the ball is put in play a point is awarded to the team in possession of the ball, regardless of the outcome of the rally. Therefore, the team that wins the rally is the one that reached 25 points first, via its own rallies or the opponent’s errors.

To win a set, a team has to reach a two-point lead at the minimum. For example, if the score is 24/22 in favor of either team, the game will end when one of them scores the 25th point, instead of having to reach the 26th. In friendly matches, it may be decided to play up to 15 or 21 points, but for all competitive play the limit is set to 25.

After the end of the fifth set, the winner of the match is the team that was ahead in sets. In the case of a tie, a sixth set is played and the team that reaches 15 points first claims victory.

Serving in Volleyball

Serving is one of the most important elements in the play of volleyball. It provides the initial contact between the two teams, and is vital to set the tone for the match. As such, there are rules in place to ensure the legality of the serve, and that all players receive a fair opportunity for it.

The main rule is that the server must remain inside the court, behind the end line, until they have released the ball. Additionally, the ball should be visible to the receiving team before being served – hidden serves can result in a fault. If the server steps on or over the service line, it is also considered a fault, and the team will lose their point.

Let serves are allowed, which is when the ball is coming from an obstruction and does not cross the net. If the ball crosses the net, it must be returned to the original team, even if the serve was intended for the other team. Let serves do not count as points, regardless of where the ball goes.

Finally, if the ball does not make contact with the receiving team at all, then it is considered to be a fault. This can be due to missing the ball entirely (going out of bounds as well) or not making contact with the court before the ball goes out of bounds. Furthermore, the ball may not touch any part of the net nor any players on either team, as that is considered a fault.

Common Fouls in Volleyball

Fouls are an important part of volleyball, as they protect players and make the game more fair and enjoyable. The most common offences in the game include carrying, double contact, blocking, and net violations.

Carrying is a foul in which a player touches the ball more than once while attempting to pass it over the net. This foul is also sometimes referred to as double hit or double touch. It is illegal because it gives the player too much control over the ball.

Double Contact is another common offence in the game. This is when a player has two contacts with the ball during the same attempt to hit it. This can be either consecutive or simultaneous contacts, and is illegal because it gives the player too much control over the ball.

Blocking is an important skill in the game of volleyball, and it is essential that it is done correctly. Blocking consists of a defensive player jumping in front of an opponent’s attack in order to stop it from going over the net. Blocking improperly can result in a penalty for the defending team.

Net violations are common offences in volleyball, as they prevent players from taking advantage of the size of the court to gain an advantage. Examples of net violations include touching the net while playing the ball, obstructing an opponent’s view of the ball, or interfering with an opponent’s attempt to hit the ball.